A Spring Warm Data Lab
A Spring Warm Data Lab
Hosted by Warm Data RVA
What might be possible when people meet people as people — not as roles, titles, or experts?
It’s almost spring and we want to continue the momentum after Richmond's first Warm Data Lab. We’ve found a gracious host for this upcoming lab, First UU, and we want to invite you to join us to keep building more labs for Richmond, VA.
What is a Warm Data Lab?
Developed by Nora Bateson and the International Bateson Institute, Warm Data Labs are grounded in over a century of systems thinking. They transform complexity science into an experiential approach to mutual learning — designed to deepen collective perception through personal stories. Watch Nora explain it here https://youtu.be/f8tTax7ad9g?t=147.
The format turns that thinking into something lived, a way of learning together through personal stories.
There is no goal. No problem to solve. This is intentional. When we remove the pressure to fix, we make room for something unexpected to emerge.
Instead, something rarer: the experience of your story changing my story.
Participants move between many contexts at once — family, health, work, the city — sharing stories and observations simultaneously. Together, participants are building relationships that build relationships that build relationships.
The last half-hour is called symmasthesy — the moment when what everyone has been noticing starts to become something shared.
The Flow
10:30 AM to 11:00 AM Gather and mingle for light refreshments
11:00 AM Warm Data Lab Begins
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Lab and Story Sharing
12:00 PM to 12:30 PM Symmasthesy
12:30 PM to 1:00 PM Closing
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Breakdown & Exit
About Warm Data RVA
Warm Data RVA gives Richmond a regular practice of noticing, and sitting with complexity, together. We are volunteer-led, community-funded, and committed to keeping these spaces open to all.
How We Fund These Gatherings
If you're able to give something to help us cover costs such as venue, food, raise funds for future events, and training for additional hosts.
Transparency on our costs: Our costs can range from $375-$750 per lab to cover venue and food/drinks. To support us we are asking that people donate using a pay what you can model. To be transparent, here is how the funds will be used.
We will accept a sliding scale where you can name your own amount as well. Here is the page where you can donate.
$7.50 helps us cover food and venue
$15 to $25 will support someone who cannot pay
$35 or more helps us raise funds to send people Warm Data Lab training
Contributions are processed through Pollinators for Change. Any surplus goes toward future labs or regenerative events.
One day we hope to send more Richmonders to Warm Data Lab facilitation training — growing the number of trained hosts in our community. Every contribution helps make that possible.
No one will be turned away but every bit helps us keep going.
Community Partners
🐝 Pollinators for Change — Pollinators for Change, Co-organizer A Richmond movement for regenerative change, and a founding partner of Warm Data RVA. Gatherings are at the foundation of what we do together, and we are in this as fellow organizers, building something that keeps showing up for Richmond.
Learn more at: pollinatorsforchange.org
No one will be turned away. Everyone belongs here.
Questions? [email protected]
Warm Data Labs originated by Nora Bateson & the International Bateson Institute
Learn more at warmdata.life